Wagner signs with Warriors after two years out of NBA

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Dajuan Wagner, the once-promising point guard whose NBA career was derailed by injuries and a serious illness, signed with the Golden State Warriors on Friday after being out of the league for nearly two years.

Wagner was the sixth pick in the 2002 draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers after just one collegiate season at Memphis, but health problems prevented him from becoming the star most expected.

After averaging 13.4 points in 47 games as a rookie, Wagner's second season in Cleveland was limited to 44 games and limited playing time after arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. He played just 11 games early in the 2004-05 season before his years of stomach pain were diagnosed as colitis, an inflammation of the colon.

Wagner's colon was removed last October, and he lost 30 pounds before returning to workouts this year in hopes of a comeback. Several teams expressed interest in Wagner, who will join a backcourt in Golden State with Baron Davis, Jason Richardson and second-year pro Monta Ellis.

Wagner, the son of former NBA guard Milt Wagner, is the leading scorer in New Jersey high school basketball history, once scoring 100 points in a game.